Kinetic power system for vehicles

Abstract

A kinetic power system for DC motor-driven vehicles, the system comprising a chassis-based power generating assembly and an optional roof-based power generating assembly, the former being in electrical communication with the vehicle's DC motor(s) and battery array, the latter being in electrical communication with the battery array only. Both assemblies include at least one fan blade rotatably mounted to a rotor shaft of a DC generator. The fan blades turn under the influence of air velocity provided by the wind and/or via motion of the vehicle (kinetic energy) to drive the generator(s) and produce an electric current which is then delivered either directly to the DC motor or indirectly to the battery array via an onboard inverter which converts the direct current to alternating current. Embodiments including photovoltaic cells are also described.

What is claimed as being new, useful and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
         1 . A kinetic power system for DC motor-driven vehicles having at least one DC motor mounted, to a chassis and powered by a battery array, a hood compartment, and a passenger compartment having a roof, the system comprising:
 a. an air intake assembly mounted behind the vehicle's front grille for receiving a flow of air therethrough, said air intake assembly including airflow control means comprised of a louver panel having a plurality of angle adjustable slats for regulating the amount of airflow through said louver panel;   b. a chassis-based power generating assembly in electrical communication with the vehicle's at least one DC motor and battery array; said chassis-based power generating assembly comprising a DC generator mounted within the vehicle's hood compartment and behind said air intake assembly, said DC generator having a rotor shaft and at least one fan rotatably mounted thereto, said at least one fan being operably located behind said air intake assembly;   whereby said at least one fan turns under the influence of air velocity provided by the wind and/or via forward motion of the vehicle to drive said DC generator and produce an electric current deliverable directly to the vehicle's at least one DC motor and any surplus DC power to an inverter for conversion to AC power and subsequent storage in the battery array.   
     
     
         2 . The kinetic power system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. a roof-based air intake assembly mounted on top of, or integrally formed with the vehicle roof for receiving a flow of air therethrough; and   b. a roof-based power generating assembly electrically connected in series to an inverter and then to the vehicle's battery array; said roof-based power generating assembly comprising a low profile DC generator mounted on top of, or integrally formed with the vehicle roof and behind said roof-based air intake assembly, said low profile DC generator having a rotor shaft and a fan rotatably mounted thereto;   whereby the current produced by said low profile DC generator is delivered directly to inverter for conversion to AC power which in turn is delivered to the battery array for recharging thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The kinetic power system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one photovoltaic panel for producing a direct current when exposed to sunlight, said at least one photovoltaic panel being electrically connected to said inverter for conversion of said direct current to AC power for recharging of said battery array and/or powering of vehicle accessories. 
     
     
         4 . The kinetic power system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one photovoltaic panel for producing a direct current when exposed to sunlight, said at least one photovoltaic panel being electrically connected to said inverter for conversion of said direct current to AC power for recharging of said battery array and/or powering of vehicle accessories. 
     
     
         5 . The kinetic power system of  claim 1 , wherein said air intake assembly further includes at least one air pressure sensor behind said louver panel for detecting negative air pressure whereupon said battery array is caused to power said at least one DC motor until the condition is resolved. 
     
     
         6 . The kinetic power system of  claim 2 , wherein said air intake assembly further includes at least one air pressure sensor behind said louver panel for detecting negative air pressure whereupon said battery array is caused to power said at least one DC motor until the condition is resolved. 
     
     
         7 . The kinetic power system of  claim 3 , wherein said air intake assembly further includes at least one air pressure sensor behind said louver panel for detecting negative air pressure whereupon said battery array is caused to power said at least one DC motor until the condition is resolved. 
     
     
         8 . The kinetic power system of  claim 4 , wherein said air intake assembly further includes at least one air pressure sensor behind said louver panel for detecting negative air pressure whereupon said battery array is caused to power said at least one DC motor until the condition is resolved.